World Mental Health Day is October 10th, and this year’s theme is ‘Mental Health is a Universal Human Right’. World Mental Health Day has been celebrated around the world since 1992. For the second year running, Mental Health Ireland have chosen to mark the month of October as World Mental Health Month.
This October, Mental Health Ireland have a jam-packed programme of events to raise awareness of World Mental Health Month and we’d love you to get involved!
How Can I Support World Mental Health Month?
There are lots of ways that you can support Mental Health Ireland in celebrating World Mental Health Month this October. Everyone can play a role in increasing our awareness of mental health. We want more people to have open conversations about mental health and help reduce the stigma that often still exists around it. But it can be challenging to raise awareness about mental health when you’re not sure how.
That’s why we have created a suite of resources and events for World Mental Health Month to help individuals and community groups and other NGOs to get involved.
Download Our Free Resources
We have co-designed a range of free downloadable resources that you can use throughout the month to show your support for the campaign. Download and print them out for your school, workplace or community group. Or share the link via email to your friends and colleagues. You can also purchase your own World Mental Health Month merchandise with copies of these resources already printed out.
Host a Connect Cafe
Mental Health Ireland has co-developed a toolkit for people to host a Connect Café. A Connect Café is an opportunity to bring people together for a chat and a cuppa and raise awareness of mental health. Learn more about hosting a Connect Café here. You can also join our Connect Café information sessions to learn more
Get Involved in Our 5 Ways to Fundraise Campaign
Help raise vital funds for Mental Health Ireland to continue to support people around the country. You can do this by getting involved in our 5 Ways to Fundraise Campaign.
Some ways you can fundraise money for Mental Health Ireland are:
- Host a Cake Sale or a Bake Off Challenge with friends or work colleagues.
- Become more active by walking, running, swimming or cycling during the month of October and ask your friends, family and colleagues to sponsor you to do so. You don’t have to be Usain Bolt! Start by setting yourself a smaller challenge of increasing your steps by a little every day for a month. Feel better mentally and physically and raise money for a good cause at the same time!
- Host a spooktacular Fancy Dress Halloween party and ask attendees to donate to Mental Health Ireland. Or why don’t you encourage your colleagues to come to work in fancy dress and have a prize for the best dressed! Don’t forget to send us your fancy dress pictures to share on our social media channels!
Or you may have your own fundraising ideas! You can let us know about your fundraising activities by contacting fundraising@mentalhealthireland.ie
Tell us what events you are running for World Mental Health Month or find out what events are being held in your area here.
Thanks, or all your support in raising awareness of World Mental Health Month and don’t forget to check out our World Mental Health Month Website and check out our social media channels below for the latest information.